#25

We are number 25!!!! I called AAC today and armed with a little extra knowledge (thank you Amber) found out we are #25 on the little girl list. WAHOOOOO two steps closer!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I clearly like exclamation points.)

Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!!! (I know late again)
Well I caught the Christmas spirit big time the last few days before Christmas and just finished cleaning the last of the "Christmas carnage" out of the living room, so now I will blog about it.
Christmas Eve was white this year, white and wonderful. I love the snow it just makes me feel all happy inside. I have never gotten over the little girl jittery stomach that comes with the first good snow of the season. We got the house cleaned up and ready for Christmas, (I do minimal cleaning once Christmas day comes because I want to soak up all the little wonderful moments with my boys.) met Omma and Pappa at a great little mexican place for lunch and to get our Christmas P.J's, and then played games, cuddled, and cooked Christmas Eve Dinner together. Then we made cookies for Santa, left out carrots and hot water for the reindeer (Boo's idea), bathed the boys and they went to bed. Michael and I cuddled on the couch and then went to bed so Santa could come. Miles woke up about 7 and waited patiently in bed until 7:30 when Isaac joined us. Then the carnage began it was GREAT!!! Miles was thrilled to give Isaac his gift and Isaac didn't understand why we just wouldn't let him play with the toys and kept making him open more. Miles got a C#melbak and and Isaac was so remiss that he didn't get one that we had to put in a phone call and Santa sent one in the mail straight away! We ate a yummy breakfast and then headed North. We had to take the Manly Truck because it was snowing so hard; lots of smiles from me for that!!! We spent some time with Michael's side of the family and ate a great lunch, Isaac loved the mashed sweet potatoes, thanks Aunt Delonni. Then we headed to the Rich side for games laughed together while we played Apples 2 Apples. Traveling home even in the Manly Truck was a nightmare and took nearly 3 hours but the boys slept and Michael and I spent some quiet Christmas moments together.

Hanukkah

Last night we celebrated Hanukkah. I love this holiday, latkes (fried potato pancakes), and chocolate. Yummy!!!!! Also I love celebrating a holiday that is so ancient; the thought of people for thousand of years celebrating the same miracle we were celebrating feels warm and cozy. Karli and Carson came over and celebrated with us, we even attempted the prayers in Hebrew, that didn't go so well. Special thanks goes to Gail and Ned who have taught me much about loving others, and also about the joy of celebrating those special Jewish holidays. My life has been blessed to know so many caring and wonderful people I am the person that I am because of the things I have been taught by so many people. HAPPY HANUKKAH EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

The Christmas Spirit

I'm not sure why but the Christmas spirit has been elusive to me this year. Could be the lack of snow, watching my Grandma and Grandpa, and my mom struggle so hard with the recent trial they have faced. Could be perhaps that my shoes are too tight, or my head is not screwed on just right, not sure but I was really just not feeling it. So I finally got a little taste of it all when my boys Michael and I decorated the Christmas Tree. Seeing all of the ornaments bunched down low toward the bottom on one or two boughs hearing the excitement in Miles' voice and Issac's joy-full screaching; it just felt like christmas.

I also was blessed to walk in to kickers room to check on him and be reminded of the great blessing we have in having our two wonderful little men who are growing and learning and just so cute. Here is a pic of that night and Michael reading to the boys the following night I am so blessed.

On the adoption front we are still sitting at 27 on the list no girl referrals coming in lately but I am assured that the list will move. I don't want it to move too fast, we need time to prepare, but I would like to see steady movement toward our little girl.

Thanks

I know I am late posting this but......these are the things I am grateful for this thanksgiving. 

I am so grateful for Miles his sense of humor has really started to develop and he makes me laugh. I am grateful for his blue eyes which shine with curiosity and mischief. I am grateful for his love and honesty. I am grateful that I get to know him that when he is hurt he lets me love him better. Miles is always making people smile he laughs and grins and thrives on life.

I am grateful for Isaac. My goodness what a loving child. He knows when I need an extra cuddle and he knows when I need a little smile. He seems to touch everyone he comes in contact with. You can't know Isaac and not love him. He just seems to be able to connect with people on a deep level for such a small person. 

And then there is Michael. God knew the kind of man I would need in life and made Michael just for me. He is all of the things I didn't know I wanted in a husband. He is patient with my shortcomings. A friend to anyone who needs him. A caring, honest, humble provider. I love him with all that I am and know that he loves me. 

Now on a lighter note these are some random things that I am grateful for this year.

• Trees (Look at one next time you have a minute they are really cool)
• Apples (I have really started to enjoy them lately)
• Tile floors (I have two boys)
• Digital Camera's (so easy to capture the fleeting moments of childhood)
• Books (they calm the most wild Miles moments)
• Truth
• Washing machines (see tile floors)
• Warm water
• Hope

And lastly I am grateful to a woman who I may never know, somewhere in Korea, who will give me the most precious gift of all the chance to love another little person.